I plan to leave my mark on the baseball world; this is where it all begins.

Indescribable Feeling

We had all waited a really long time, and I’m not sure about you guys, but in general I hate waiting. Baseball was worth the wait. Spring Training was the longest it had even been, but we waited. I didn’t realize how deprived I was. I guess the withdrawal symptoms simply subside after a while. But as soon as Fenway Park appeared on my television I let out a squeal, my eyes teared up, and a shot of adrenaline ran through me. I wish I could put what I was feeling into words, but I can’t. I think that we need to come up with a word that describes the feelings that baseball evokes in us, because I’m getting pretty frustrated without one.

Feeling this way, it was tough watching the game on FSN rather than NESN. I didn’t get to watch the pre-game ceremonies, nor did I get to watch the reserves coming through the stands.

I saw the starting lineup come through the stands, and I really liked the fact that they actually came through the stands. It made the baseball players seem more tangible even as baseball itself becomes less and less tangible. They all looked so happy to be there, but at the same time, they knew that they would be there since day one of Spring Training. I wanted to see the look on Chris Carter’s face, my project. He didn’t know that he was going to be there, so that must have been unreal for him.

I had almost gone over to my friend’s house to watch the game, but I declined knowing that

a) She doesn’t like baseball, and I didn’t want to force her to sit through a game for three hours. I can’t concentrate on converting people on Opening Day for obvious reasons.

b) I don’t really need my friends to see the way I am during a baseball game. They already think I’m obsessed, I don’t need them to think I’m crazy too. I was actually on the phone with one of them during Jason Bay’s first at-bat, and I was talking to them a bit absentmindedly.

“THAT WAS NOT A STRIKE!” I suddenly called out (the ump had called it a ball, but a bit too slowly for my taste). My friend proceeded to laugh.

“Elizabeth, is anyone at your house?” she asked.

“No…” I replied

“So, you’re talking to yourself?”

“I’m talking to the umpire, Mindy!”

When I watch baseball, I tend to be under the impression that I am the umpire, and that my calls are the right calls. I try and find ways of calling defensive interferences on the other team on routine groundouts, every Red Sox pitch is a strike. Don’t worry, when I’m watching other games, I can be completely objective. And I’m working on my “I-totally-control-every-aspect-of-the-game”.

Josh Beckett made me really happy [insert that non-existent word here]. I loved his first pitch strikes, and I loved his ability to work quickly through most of his innings. Ten strikeouts in seven innings. Do I have to say anything other than dominance? He helped the Red Sox show the Rays who’s boss. And speaking objectively as possible, I think that he had the best start out of all the pitchers on Opening Day.

Overall, I was very happy with the Red Sox performance that day. Almost everyone in the lineup had a hit except for our dear leadoff man, Jacoby Ellsbury. I’m not TOO worried though. It’s not like he struck out every single time. He did get SOME wood on the ball, but it only went as far as Akinori Iwamura. I loved seeing Pedroia’s home run, but I was especially happy with Jason Varitek’s home run. As they were introducing the lineup, I loved hearing “and behind the plate, our captain, Jason Varitek”.

After Papelbon wrapped that game up, I finally obliged and went to my friend’s house.

“Elizabeth, you haven’t been out of your house for days!” she told me. It’s hard to handle the truth sometimes.

“Andrea, Monday night, yesterday and today were all very sacred days!”

“You’ve done nothing but watch baseball for the past two days! COME OVER!”. Well… the Marlins WERE leading the Nationals 8-0, so I didn’t feel that bad.

I did give them a fair warning at the end of February though. Like Jane, I do schedule everything around my team. And according to my friend, I’m planning my life around them. But she meant that in a good way because after all, I am planning to become a sports writer.

So just because the Red Sox showed the Rays who’s boss yesterday, it doesn’t mean that tonight is going to be easy. I mean, we’ve got Lester vs Kazmir tonight, and Rocco will be making his first start in center field with the Red Sox.

14 Comments

Elizabeth,
Great post; glad to know I’m not the only one who is misunderstood by friends. After a facebook status about opening day, a friend commented: “You’re addicted! You’re obsessed!” Oh well, at least we’re passionate!
Paigehttp://bestof162.mlblogs.com/

I love that you were on the phone absentmindedly with a friend while paying more attention to the game! LOL. That’s exactly what I do. Anyhow, congrats on the win. Looks like Beckett will be tough on everybody this year.

Great “opening day” for the Red Sox with a 5-3 win against the Rays … Excellent performance by Josh Beckett — seven innings, ten strikeouts for the victory !!! … I’m sure everyone in Red Sox Nation is happy !!! … The Yankees did not have a great opening, with very poor performances by CC, Tex, and the bullpen in their 10-5 loss … And, the Yankees just lost Game number two, 7-4, to the Orioles … Also, going into the bottom of the 9th inning at Fenway, I see the Red Sox are losing, 7-2 … So, as “they” say — that’s baseball, and we still have a long season ahead of us !!!
— Have a great night, Elizabeth !!!
— Jimmy [27NYY], “BY&L”http://baseballtheyankeesandlife.mlblogs.com/

Elizabeth, this was a really good post :) I know exactly how you feel. There are no words to describe it. I love reading your blog. Keep up the great work!! I know you’re gonna be a sports writer someday!

I’m actually doing the same thing with my friend right now. Aaron Rowand came up to bat, and I started shrieking “AARON!” into the phone. Once I shut up, she made it known she wasn’t watching the Giants game and had no idea why I was freaking out. She IS a hockey fan, so maybe I’m expecting too much. :)
Jenhttp://ajroxmywhitesox.mlblogs.com

Ha Elizabeth you should take that enthusiasm you have to Chase Field. I haven’t written it yet but my critique of the lackluster fansbase of AZ could use your help. Maybe you can be a paid advisor!
Tomhttp://rockymountainway.mlblogs.com

I also plan my life around baseball. No worries. My mom constantly tells me I need to go out instead of just watch baseball all the time. I love your enthusiasm though. I’m the same way. I have to try and control it around my roommate but it doesn’t work too well. I think the other day she asked what I was doing because I was yelling at the computer again and I tried to explain but she didn’t get it.
Melissahttp://clemsongirlbaseball.mlblogs.com

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